When Does a Kitten Become a Cat? The Facts You Need to Know

If you have a kitten, then you'll notice that he starts to develop VERY quickly! As the weeks and months pass, he has grown into a full-sized cat.

But when exactly does that happen? There are a lot of factors that affect your kitten's growth, and he may grow quicker than others, making it confusing as to when he becomes an adult cat. It makes a lot of people wonder: "When does a kitten become a cat?"

Instead of basing it through your cat's growth photos, read on as I explain how your kitten begins to grow into a cat and when he becomes an adult.

When Does a Kitten Become a Cat?

When you have a kitten, you'll love how cute and tiny he is, cuddling with him forever! But a few weeks pass, and you'll be surprised how much he has grown, both in body and attitude!

The kitten to cat growth phase is much quicker than that of a human. If you're wondering about when your kitten turns into an adult cat, it would only take six months on average. Depending on the breed, it may take a year or longer.

The timeframe of when your kitten becomes an adult cat varies in breed, environment, and the way you take are of him. The more nutrients he gets in, the better he'll be able to grow strong and healthy, phasing into adulthood.

Pretty quick, isn't it? It usually happens because of a cat's early growth spurt. BUT, they still go through growth stages similar to humans, just shorter and faster.

Growth Phases of Your Kitten

It takes six months on average for your kitten to enter adulthood, but how exactly does it happen in the first place? Here are the growth stages of your kitten as he transitions and grows into an adult:​

1. Walking

Your cat begins to walk and run come six weeks of age, with the first few weeks focusing on coordination development.

2. Growth Spurt

Between two to six months of your kitten's life, he experiences a growth spurt, where he looks adult-sized and begins to become stronger.

3. Teenage Years

At six months, your cat becomes a "teenager." And yes, it's similar to how human teenagers act, as they begin to act territorial or distant from their owners.This is also usually the stage where female cats begin heat cycles. Male cats also start sexual behaviors, such as spraying urine and becoming even more territorial.

4. After 18 Months

By the time 18 months have passed, your kitten is fully grown and has become an adult cat, where he has now grasped sexual maturity and social interaction.

But again, some cats would reach maturation before others, so 18 months is just the "maximum time given" to growing cats.

Tips on How to Keep Your Cat Healthy and Growing

Now that you now the cat's normal stage of growth, you will need to make sure you take care of him right so he'll properly grow up to be robust and healthy.

But besides scheduling his mealtimes, how can you keep him groomed and active? Here are some tips you can follow:

Feed him the proper food. No, you can't give your feline friend a bite of your chocolate or any caffeinated drinks. It's a huge no-no! Instead, let him stick to his typical diet of wet or dry cat food.

You canadd flavor to your cat's food by putting in a bit of tuna or pet gravy. This will help keep him interested in his food and have him get the adequate amount of nutrients he needs.

Always groom your cat at least once a week, brushing his fur and making sure there are no tangles or mats.

Playtime is essential! If your cat doesn't like walking around the neighborhood (unlike dogs), you can invest in toys so you can play together. Plus, more quality time spent will boost his emotional development!

In Conclusion

When it comes to your cat's stages of growth, you'll be surprised to know that it's pretty short! Unlike us humans, it would only take a few months until your kitten becomes a cat, ready to mate and reproduce. So it's best to spend some quality time with your kitten while he's still young and playful!

I hope this article answers your question: "When does a kitten become a cat?" Now that you know what happens, you can expect healthy growth and keep him growing healthily. So what are you waiting for? Spend some time with your cat and follow these tips to caring for him today!

If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences about the cat's healthy growth and development, then comment down below! We'd love to hear what you have to think.​

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Hi, I’m Annie Anderson and I am a cat lover at heart. I don’t ever remember living without a cat and I have dedicated my adult life to making sure my cats stay healthy and happy, and trying to understand their behavior patterns. Because they are such complex creatures, I have come to rely on other cat owners to give me tips and tricks.

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